Ready to go! Register now for Early Learning Center classes beginning Fall 2021. Visit edinaschools.org/EarlyLearning Experience Edina Public Schools /Spring 2021

Students use storytelling, technology to Noteworthy connect with assisted living community    Seven EHS Seniors identified as Presidential Scholars candidates Seven seniors are candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. These students were identified by their outstanding perfor- mance on the ACT and are now eligible to submit applications to continue on to the semifinal- ist stage. The candidates are: Nicholas Fu, Evan Jiang, Shreya Konkimalla, Arjun Maheshwari, Chloe E. Swanson, Elise Wallen-Friedman, and Alexis Shuyan Yi.

Anna Fiddelke was one of many Valley View eighth graders who shared their fractured fairy tales with residents at The Waters in Edina.

ighth graders at Valley View found “I was impressed by the teachers coming up with such a a way to bring the magic of storytelling beyond great idea,” said Rudy, one of The Waters residents who their classrooms and into the living spaces of the was the recipient of a fairy tale. “I was also impressed Eresidents of The Waters of Edina senior living apartments by the children’s imagination in taking fairy tales that through the access of technology. they heard as young children and coming up with After reading “The Princess Bride” in class, students another story.” were given an assignment to write their own fractured Other residents felt similarly. “They showed great fairy tales. They took a known fairy tale and fractured imagination and a clever use of the tales that they had archetypes and elements from the story, including writing picked,” said Bill and Lu.    techniques from William Goldman, author of “The EHS Senior wins Princess Bride.” As the students were in the process of Athena Award “I think it’s important to give working on their stories, language arts teachers Rhonda EHS senior Haley Reeck has Geere and Margaret Smith had the idea to give them an students an authentic been named the 2021 Athena opportunity to share their stories — specifically, with audience when possible.” Award winner. Haley plays var- the residents of The Waters of Edina. sity soccer and lacrosse and is a captain on both teams. She will “I live near one of The Waters locations so that is why “It was great! Thank you so much,” said Rich. be honored by the Minneapolis I chose them to contact,” said Geere. “We worked with “I think it’s important to give students an authentic Athena Banquet committee the activities directors, Karen Staggert and Karissa along with other metro Athena audience when possible and I know how older adults Poppenhagen. I have thought about the idea on and off recipients this spring. She has generally love being around younger people, so I for some time.” committed to play Division I thought it was a great match,” said Geere. “Given the Lacrosse at Louisville. The With the pandemic still a reality, virtual options were fact that everyone is so isolated during these times and Athena Award honors an out- established for the students to connect with the residents. especially people in nursing homes and assisted living, standing female senior athlete In addition to the regular assignment, forty-five students it seemed like the perfect time. Students did not receive for their athletic achievements. sent their written stories over, 9 students recorded videos any extra credit for sharing; we simply wanted them to for viewing, and 4 students signed up to FaceTime and do it because they’d be making someone’s day brighter.”    read their story personally with someone. Students who Correction were open to sharing their work wrote a short biography Want to make your day brighter? The enrollment number in the so that their readers could know them better as indi- winter issue of Experience – viduals, such as their hobbies, interests, favorite foods, Listen to Anna Fiddelke’s Annual Report was reported pets or anything they felt comfortable including. fractured fairy tale incorrectly. The correct enroll- ment for the 2019-20 school year is 8,238. Noteworthy

   3 students qualify for State History Day EHS ninth graders Kathryn Hagen and Sonja Holtey, and South View eighth grader Lauren Marentette will advance to State History Day competition after receiving high scores in the regional contest. This year’s History Day theme is Communication in History: The Key to Understanding. Kathryn and Sonja, who also competed at the state level last year, created an exhibit focused on Maya Sonja Holtey researched, interviewed experts and learned new video editing skills to create an entry for the C-SPAN Angelou. Lauren entered in the StudentCam competition. website category with a project on the Stonewall Riot. Ninth grader receives Honorable Mention in national C-SPAN competition onja Holtey, EHS ninth grader, earned an “Having a WeVideo subscription is very valuable in Honorable Mention in the 17th annual C-SPAN making this type of learning available for all of our StudentCam competition. Students from around students,” said Anderson. “Not that long ago, video Sthe nation submitted video documentaries about issues editing was something that only a few kids with outside that affect their communities and the country. Holtey’s experience or access could really use successfully. With    video, titled “Healthy Food for Thought: Addressing this subscription and Mike’s assistance, it is something South View student is School Lunch Nutrition Standards,” explores the history that every single student now can use to and evolution of the national school lunch program. further their learning.” regional spelling champ LynnClara Tun, a South View “Using a tool like WeVideo provides students with an Middle School seventh grader, “Using a tool like WeVideo additional pathway to express their learning,” said outperformed more than 40 of provides students with an Walker. “It was exciting to see the government teachers the best spellers in the Twin Cit- provide students such an authentic learning opportunity.” ies area to capture the regional additional pathway to spelling championship. She express their learning.” This year, more than 2,300 students submitted videos competed virtually in the Metro to the competition, with 150 receiving prize recognition. ECSU Spelling Bee, and will go The student videos are evaluated by a panel of educators on to represent the region in and C-SPAN representatives looking for quality of the Scripps National Spelling “This was the first year we used the StudentCam com- expression, inclusion of varying views surrounding the Bee, to be broadcast on ESPN. petition to meet our civic engagement standards,” said topics, effective incorporation of C-SPAN programming, Jason Dockter, AP U.S. Government and Politics teacher and reflection of the competition theme. With this year’s at EHS. theme, students were asked to join in national conversa- Dockter and Erik Anderson, EHS AP U.S. Government tions about challenges the country faces: “Explore the teacher, assigned students to create videos for the issue you most want the president and new Congress to competition, either individually or in a group, as a address in 2021.” part of their classwork. They coordinated with Michael Holtey concludes her documentary by asking them to Walker, the district’s secondary-level digital learning address school lunch nutritional standards and “further Experience is mailed periodically to specialist, to schedule times for him to teach students support the national school lunch program as a vital all residents in Edina Public Schools, how to access and use WeVideo, a tool provided by the investment in America’s future.” District 273, to keep you up-to-date district’s media and technology systems (DMTS) depart- on the activities and accomplishments of students, staff and the district. ment that allows students and staff to edit video online. View Sonja Holtey’s StudentCam Questions or comments are welcome Through this resource, students like Holtey were able to documentary at [email protected] craft and edit their videos. or 952.848.3919.

Edina Public Schools Main: 952.848.4900 Global Scholars win awards at Model G20 Youth [email protected] Enrollment: 952.848.4585 Leadership Summit Superintendent wo Edina High School seniors, Aashna and Emma are among EHS John W. Schultz, Ph.D. Aashna Kumar and Emma students in the inaugural year of the 952.848.4000 [email protected] Johnson, won Exceptional Edina Rotary Global Scholars program, TMinisterial Delegates awards at the sponsored by Edina Rotary clubs and Edina School Board Model G20® Youth Leadership the Edina Education Fund. They [email protected] Summit. The theme of the summit participated in the Model G20 as Erica Allenburg was “Addressing Climate Change.” members of that program, which Matt Fox Aashna Kumar Emma Johnson Julie Greene Aashna Kumar won the Best Minister promotes leadership, collaboration Ellen Jones of Energy for representing South Africa, and Emma with students from other countries, and preparation Owen Michaelson Johnson won the Best Minister of the Environment and for post-high school studies and careers with a global Janie Shaw Sustainable Development for representing Australia. focus. Leny Wallen-Friedman Supporting Students – Sustaining Excellence 2021 Technology Levy & Bond Issue

On May 11, 2021, Edina Public Schools will ask district voters for support in two areas of operation Did you know…. that directly and indirectly support the excellent academic opportunities we provide to all Edina students. The Technology Levy and the Bond Issue support infrastructure built by Edina taxpayers …that the Technology Levy partially over many years and represent stewardship of community investment in Edina students and schools. funds the salaries of the district’s Media Specialists? EPS is one of few districts with a media specialist in every school. $7M 10-Year Technology Levy …that the Technology Levy funds Replace expiring $6.5 million levy, increase by $500,000 for a total $7 million levy safety and security systems across the district? New video intercoms at Technology is a classroom tool that gives students platforms for collaboration, discovery and cre- every school create controlled access ativity. It also supports district infrastructure, safety and security, information and learning systems. to the building when students are present. Every day in Edina Public Schools, students use technology to: …that Edina Public Schools is Com- mon Sense Certified by the nation’s E Explore content in leading nonprofit organization dedi- interactive, hands-on cated to helping schools and students approaches make smart, responsible choices in their use of technology? E Engage with content through collaboration …that district technology helps Edina and participation students connect beyond the class- room and around the world? Their E Express their learning learning experience includes meeting creatively with scientists at McMurdo Station E Communicate with in Antarctica, partnering with peers peers and people around the world, and learning with across the globe French interns. E Participate in real …that when the COVID pandemic world learning caused schools to close in March E Access learning 2020, Edina students continued to anywhere learn thanks to the district’s strong technological foundation and the unflagging efforts of tech staffers? ….that EPS Media Specialists are pas- sionate about getting books into the hands of students? This year, 40 EHS students have participated in the EHS Book Club, which is going strong after almost 20 years. …that almost 200 EPS students qualify for special education trans- portation? The Bond Issue will fund an addition to the bus garage to appro- priately house our growing bus fleet. Learn more at $7M Bond Issue – Service and Safety Improvements edinaschools.org/DidYouKnow Generate funding for specific facility improvements with sale of 20-year bonds

Transportation Facilities Creek Valley, Countryside and To improve service to Edina special education Valley View Traffic Improvements students and families, and create cost-savings The current traffic layout at these sites mixes over time, the district plans to bring all special buses areas with parent drop-off/pick-up, and education transportation in-district. (Currently staff parking. 14 special education routes are contracted to other L Proposed projects would reconfigure traffic transportation providers.) To protect an invest- flow to create dedicated zones to alleviate con- ment in additional buses, the district would issue gestion and improve vehicular, pedestrian and bonds to fund an expansion of the bus garage: bike safety. Parking space would be expanded L Addition of 5 enclosed bus bays on south side and lighting improved. of building Learn more about levy spending, bond projects, Expansion in current facility of heated bus L tax impact and voter information at Special ed buses are stored in heated stall area used for special education buses edinaschools.org/2021Levy-Bond stalls to prevent equipment from freezing up. Community Ed expands summer offerings Learn more and register at www.edina.eleyo.com or call 952-848-3952

dina Community Ed continues to L There are more than 400 summer enrich- respond to community needs with ment camps and classes planned for students expanded and innovative opportunities in pre-K through high school. We’ve more than Eto engage students all summer and meet the doubled the classes available for preschoolers needs of busy families. and significantly expanded opportunities for The summer catalog offers a full menu of pro- middle school students. New reading camps grams that nurture a love of learning, support have been added for those who want more time academic achievement and develop skills in on core academic subjects, and new unified technology, the arts, sports, and more. We camps blend typically-developing students offer many youth leadership opportunities that and students with special needs. allow older students to gain real-world experi- L Edina Community Education and Edina ence as they explore college, career and life. Give and Go partner to provide needs-based L KIDS Club/WISE Guys, the School Age Care scholarships so that tuition does not become a program, has expanded to include two new barrier. Together, we typically award approxi- age groups: incoming students mately $70,000 in financial aid each summer. and outgoing 5th graders. Our three summer lo- Make plans to join Edina Community Ed this Plan a fun summer with hundreds of choices cations are organized by grade level to provide summer! To learn more and register, visit for camps, classes and school-age care personalized, age-appropriate opportunities. www.edina.eleyo.com or call 952-848-3952. programs.

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Calendar May 11 2021 Technology Levy and Bond Issue Vote June 4 Last Day of School June 7 EHS Commencement, U of M Mariucci Arena

Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Students qualify for international competition Find polling locations and Five members of the EHS DECA team have qualified for the Interna- information about early voting at tional Career Development Conference — and they have the hardware to prove it! They earned the opportunity by finishing in the top four out of 64 competitors at the State Conference. Pictured, left to right, edinaschools.org/2021Levy-Bond are Ava Nelson, Ella Zawoyski, Audrey Keeley, Ellie Cooper and Alex Schultze.